This post might seem silly to some, but I hope that it is helpful to many pet owners. 

My wife and I got a Basset Hound shortly after we got married, around nine years ago. He was a floppy-eared, droopy-eyed, ball of joy. When looking at the litter, we chose the most rambunctious, outgoing little puppy. We named him… Maverick. Not only did the meaning of the name suit him at first glance, but he grew into and filled out that name more than we could ever have expected. 

Maverick lived with us in three different apartment complexes, in two different states, and in our present home, in Austin, Texas. Almost all of our marriage, we had Maverick. He was around when all four of our children were born. We have been through trials with Maverick, I have wept on his back, and he, in some ways, was a bulwark through it all. 

Last Friday, out of the blue, Maverick wasn't doing well. Something was noticeably off. Without saying anything, my wife and I thought he was dying. When we woke up on Friday, we didn't know that only a short number of hours later, Maverick would be gone forever, though he left an indelible mark.  

Losing a pet is heartbreaking. It’s a reminder of the effects of the fall––in death and mourning. Several people in the church family have lost pets within the past six months, and I didn’t know that we would be added to that number. There’s been a lot of sadness attended with the loss of these pets, and additional ministry, in seeking to care for those going through such a trial. While pets aren’t people, they do live with you and add life to your family. When they aren't around anymore, there is a void. Even a full home can feel empty for a season. 

One of the most common questions I get asked is, ‘Will my dog be in heaven?’ Not to make light of such a sensitive topic, but most people aren’t asking if the cow they got their burger from will be in heaven, or as a congregant observed to me a few days ago, people aren’t asking if mosquitos will be in heaven. There are unstated limits established within the question itself. 

There’s no verse that says pets will be in heaven. In fact, I think it’s quite unlikely they will be, but I do think they serve a great purpose (which I’ll get to in a few moments). Solomon writes in Ecc 3:21, “Who knows that the breath of man ascends upward and the breath of the beast descends downward to the earth?” The beast dies and returns to dust, as a man, but, the distinction is the spirit of a believer goes to be with God. Ecc 12:6–7 reads, “Remember Him before the silver cord is snapped and the golden bowl is crushed, the pitcher by the spring is broken and the wheel at the cistern is crushed; then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.” It is a clear distinction that’s made in the Bible. The destinations of men and animals are distinct.  

You might argue that creation groans for its renewal, so in the restoration of all things, our pets will come back, ‘Jesus is on a horse at the Second Coming!’ It’s true, but even if there are animals after the Millennial Kingdom in the eternal state, which I don’t have a chapter and verse for (though it’s possible given the state of Eden), nevertheless, even if animals are with us forevermore, it doesn’t mean they are our resurrected pets. I do think it’s more of a long shot of an argument. We never want to derive our theology from our emotions. You may want to see your dog or your cat again so badly… but emotions can easily lead us astray. We have to anchor our hope to what God says in His word.

That begs the question, what is a pet––speaking not in its essence, but instead, its purpose. There are different ways to answer that question, but there’s only one response I want to speak to here. A pet is a gift from God. If that answer is valid, and we carry it through to its logical end, if a pet is from God, then that means God has given the pet, so that we would worship the Giver. Put plainly, pets are designed to point us to the Lord––as other aspects of creation are. 

In the book of James, in a larger section speaking about how Christians are to endure the trials that God brings, with joy, know what’s produced through them, in verse 17, we read, “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.” Pets are gifts from the Lord that are meant to teach us something about Him. Not all pets are created equal, admittedly, but from the mountain peaks to the valleys, if you have a pet, in God’s providence… There's a reason He’s given it to you. It’s for your good and His glory. We are to give thanks, as Paul says, in all circumstances. His statement would include taking care of pets. 

Everything you love about your pet––in interpreting his or her actions, every positive and redeeming quality: being affectionate, comforting, caring, devoted, funny, outgoing… all of these things should remind us of the goodness of God. Yes, pets are affected by the fall as all things are, but God gives good gifts to His children, and for some, that includes a pet. I also think most of the best aspects of our pets are shadows of the care and love of our unfailing God. 

And that, exactly that… is what makes losing a pet so tough. There are shadows that point us to our Creator. When our pet is gone, we miss that. 

While the thought of not seeing Maverick again is difficult (I think it is for most pet owners to grapple with, not seeing their pet again)… Who will we see and be with forevermore? The God who made Maverick and all pets for that matter. Every great thing that you love about your pet now, points to a God who is greater still. 

If you have a pet, be reminded that your pet is a gift, and worship the Giver of that gift. If you have recently lost a pet… not only did God take your pet at His appointed time, but He did so for a particular reason. Praise the Lord for His kindness, in giving you an undeserved gift. As Job said, “Yahweh gave, and Yahweh has taken away. Blessed be the name of Yahweh.” Also, be reminded in this season, that God is the God of all comfort, and this time should grow you in your nearness to Him. Ps 34:18, “Yahweh is near to the brokenhearted And saves those who are crushed in spirit.”